Expression of Concern: Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase A Is a Potential Metastasis-Associated Marker of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Promotes Lung Cell Tumorigenesis and Migration

The corresponding authors stated that data underlying all the results reported in the article are available, except for the raw image data underlying the western blots in Figure 5. The corresponding authors confirmed that the same 2D gel image and cohort of 7 patients are reported in four articles [1–4], and each article focuses on a different aspect of the 2D gel results. They also reported that the control data in Figures 6A and 7A of this article [1] are identical to the data in [3], as the experiments were performed simultaneously using the same control samples. The figure legends for Figures 1, 6 and 7 are updated to acknowledge this data reuse, and the 2D gel image in Figure 1A has been replaced with a version that has PLOS ONE

• The shVector panels in Figure 6A of [1] are similar to the NCI-H520-shRNA-NC panels in Figure 7A of [3].
• The shVector panel in Figure 7A of [1] is similar to the NCI-H520 shRNA-NC panel in Figure 6B of [3] when rotated.
• In the Actin panels in Figure 1C, small bands/marks under the bands are present in the underlying image but are not present in the published images.
• In Figure 6B, the shALDOA-1 panel partially overlaps with the shALDOA-2 panel when rotated according to the corresponding author.
• The following inaccuracies/omissions were identified in the Methods section: � The xenograft tumor study is described as having 3 male mice per group, but the corresponding authors clarified that 2 male and 2 female mice were used per group.
� 8% and 10% SDS-PAGE gels were used for western blot experiments, not 12% as stated.
� Sequences of shRNAs against ALDOA and the non-targeting control are absent from the article. The corresponding authors provided the relevant sequences in S1 File.
The corresponding authors stated that data underlying all the results reported in the article are available, except for the raw image data underlying the western blots in Figure 5.
The corresponding authors confirmed that the same 2D gel image and cohort of 7 patients are reported in four articles [1][2][3][4], and each article focuses on a different aspect of the 2D gel results. They also reported that the control data in Figures 6A and 7A of this article [1] are identical to the data in [3], as the experiments were performed simultaneously using the same control samples. The figure legends for Figures 1, 6 and 7 are updated to acknowledge this data reuse, and the 2D gel image in Figure 1A has been replaced with a version that has software-analyzed annotation. The Editors remain concerned that a related study [2] that was under consideration at the time this article [1] was submitted was not declared, and that the reuse of data from this article [1] was not adequately acknowledged in subsequent publications.
The underlying image data for the actin panels in Figure 1C provided during discussions appear to contain bands/marks that are not present in the published image (S2 File). An updated version of Figure 1C is provided with this notice presenting the unadjusted images. The Editors remain concerned about the undisclosed beautification of images for publication, but consider that the original published panels accurately presented the results.
For Figure 6B, the corresponding authors reported that the shALDOA-2 panel is incorrect. They provided an updated Figure 6 in which the shALDOA-2 panel is replaced, and they provided underlying image data for the three samples presented in Figure 6B (S3 File).
The PLOS ONE Editors issue this Expression of Concern to notify readers of the above issues and relay the supporting data and updated figures provided by the corresponding authors.  Wound-healing assays of the resulting NCI-H520 cells in cultured plates. Cell were grown in petri dishes to 90% confluency and cut with a sterile 200-μl pipette tip. The resulting cells were continually cultured in serum-free medium and were photographed at 0, 8 and 24 hs post-scratching. The shVector panels in Figure 6A of [1] are reused as the NCI-H520-shRNA-NC panels in Figure 7A of [3]. (B) Cell migration assays using the transwell assays kits. 5×10 5 cells per well were plated in the upper chambers of transwell plates with an 8-μm pore size membrane and media containing 10% FBS was placed in the lower chamber. After 24 hours of culture the cells on the upper surface of the filter were removed. The migrated cells were fixed in 70% methanol and stained with 0.1% crystal violet. The assays were performed in triplicates and at least 6 unbiased fields were counted per filter.